Lot # 21: 1953 Topps #82 Mickey Mantle PSA 8 NM-MT

Category: 1950-1959

Starting Bid: $7,500.00

Bids: 23 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Historical Rarities Winter Auction",
which ran from 12/20/2017 12:00 PM to
1/13/2018 7:00 PM




(LOT 21)
1953 Topps #82 Mickey Mantle PSA 8 NM-MT

No one will argue that Mantle's 1952 Topps image will forever be embedded in hobby folklore, with the unparalleled mystique of his inaugural Topps card permanently etched in hobby folklore. Unfortunately, a considerable number of advanced collectors simply cannot afford the current stratospheric price tags of a high grade 1952 Topps Mantle rookie card. While not the hallowed Topps rookie card, the Mick's second-year 1953 Topps subject has gained considerable prestige over the years via its incredible stoic lithographic Mantle portrait image as well as being the 1952 Topps rookie card's successor. Presented here just happens to be a spectacular 1953 Topps 2nd- year Mantle in a PSA 8 holder; with only 2.7% of the nearly 3,500 encapsulated copies fortunate enough to achieve this stratospheric assessment, and a meager 0.4% (15 examples) graded higher!

No baseball player could possibly equal Mickey Mantle's post-WWII popularity. Without question, his immense mystique remains unparalleled in the card market, yet considering that his lifetime batting statistics were not overwhelming, you sometimes ponder as to the root of Mantle's unequivocal fame. Characteristics such as his inconceivable power, long tape measure home runs and overall charisma have, undoubtedly, elevated his godly stature. He was Davey Crockett, Goliath, John Wayne and Joe DiMaggio all rolled up into one super icon, the ultimate embodiment of a National hero. Worshiped by millions of young American boys, Mantle's legacy continues to steamroll ahead, and it is no secret that his early 1950's cards continue to realize staggering pricing points. This outstanding 2nd year Topps specimen portrays a nearly flawless lithographic pose of the "Mick", bursting with vitality and a pristine array of colored hues that are synonymous with "pack fresh" quality.

The image is relatively well-centered, revealing fine "top to bottom" positioning and a modest favoritism towards the right edge. Additional features include super white borders, pack-fresh surfaces, right-angled corners, a clean verso and only some negligible/microscopic-like surface loss near the lower left corner's utmost tip (the lower red corner's tip nearly always reflects some degree of "white" surfacing even for high grade examples). In closing, early 1950's Mantle cards appear to know no boundaries with regard to their unlimited investment potential, and considering some PSA 8 '52 Topps specimens continue to realize $400K - $500K price tags, we highly advise you to capture this magnificent PSA 8 second-year Topps Mantle marvel!

MIN BID $7,500
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